Japanese cruiser Yaeyama

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Career Japanese Navy Ensign
Built: Yokosuka Naval Years, Japan
Ordered: 1885 Fiscal Year
Laid down June 1887
Launched: March 1889
Completed: March 15 1890
Fate: Scrapped April 1 1911
General Characteristics
Displacement: 1,584 tons
Length: 96.9 meters at waterline
Beam: 10.5 meters
Draught: 4.0 meters
Propulsion: 2-shaft, 6 boilers 8 boilers after 1902); 5,630 HP
Speed: 20.75 knots
Fuel: 350 tons coal
Complement: 200
Armament:
  • 3 × 120 mm guns
  • 8 × 47 mm guns
  • 4 × 450 mm torpedo tubes
Armor:

The Yaeyama (八重山) was an protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed under the supervision of Emile Bertin and built in Japan by the Yokosuka Naval Yards. With a small displacement, powerful engines, and a 20.75 knot speed, the lightly armed and lightly armored Yaeyama was often used for scout and dispatch duties. It is a good example of the Jeune Ecole school of thought advocated by Bertin.

It should not be confused with the later Pacific War era minelayer of the same name. The name Yaeyama comes from the southernmost of the three island groups making up current Okinawa prefecture.

The Yaeyama was active in the First Sino-Japanese War, protecting troop transports to Korea and participating in the landings at Port Arthur. It later assised Japanese ground forces during the Boxer Rebellion.

Although removed from active service on 21 March 1898, it was recalled to duty during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, and participated in the naval Battle of Port Arthur and subsequent blockade of that port, the Battle of the Yellow Sea and the final decisive Battle of Tsushima.

The advent of wireless communication made the use of dispatch vessels obsolete, and the Yaeyama was scrapped on 1 April 1911.

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